@smartthinking
Smart Thinking is a platform and network for UK think tanks. We share their research, events and career opportunities as well as providing networks, training and knowledge sharing for those working in think tanks.
Looking for a new policy role? @nestauk.bsky.social are recruiting for a Policy Advisor to join their team and help strengthen their relationships with policy-makers and bring fresh, creative solutions to the early years policy area.
Interested? Apply here 👉 bit.ly/4u8FIqo
ICYMI: Last week we had a fab webinar for our members with David Watson, former Director of Comms at @chathamhouse.org. David took us through how the think tank went from broadcasting to strategic comms - a perennial issue for think tanks!
Watch again: bit.ly/4ckJdUc
Out tomorrow - Smart Thinking's fortnightly round up of all things UK think tanks. The most recent published research, events to sign up for, jobs, training and more!
Sign up here:
eepurl.com/cRkrK5
New think tank internship! Apply now for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's 14 month, prestigious COMMUNICATIONS INTERNSHIP + get your start in UK think tanks by supporting the team, updating the website, boosting their social media and helping with events.
Apply here: bit.ly/4avLSsV
This month's blog is from Adam Lang at @carnegieuk.bsky.social. Adam shares what motivates him in his job, the tools he uses, how he first got into policy and some great insights into what work-life balance really means.
Read it here: bit.ly/4kEa7bA
New job alert! @ippr.org are looking for a Research Fellow to join their public services team in the heart of Westminster.
You will get the chance to:
✔️deliver rigorous research
✔️develop bold policy ideas
✔️communicate findings
Interested? Apply here: bit.ly/4ad4L3C
A unique 3 year role is now open for applications! @csjthinktank.bsky.social are looking for an analytical person to join their team and help to inform pro-family policy with govt. Alongside your research you will also have a significant convening role.
All details: bit.ly/4kl7oDX
NEW THINK TANK ROLE! @csjthinktank.bsky.social are looking for someone comfortable with:
- website visualisations
- creating dashboards
- technical packages + methods
who will drive their media campaigns + support research projects across the think tank.
Apply now: bit.ly/4qcBvPb
Want to find the latest research being produced by British think tanks? Sign up for our fortnightly round up - out tomorrow - and all the latest reports, events, jobs and findings!
🖊️http://eepurl.com/cRkrK5
Everyone hard at work planning their pitch for our fundraising role playing - exciting times at the Fundraising Fundamentals training!
How can think tanks use big data in research?
Great to join @smartthinking.bsky.social yesterday. Our Chief Economist @paulswinney.bsky.social spoke on how tools like The Data City help map emerging sectors in real time.
Try it yourself: thedatacity.com/free-trial/
📢NEW POLICY JOB!📢 @wiltonpark.bsky.social are looking for someone to join them and play a lead role in delivering their mission as HEAD OF POLICY. You will be a member of the SLT and oversee a team of Programme Directors and Policy Officers.
Interested? Apply here: bit.ly/3ZqcTY9
Fancy a chance to gain insight into an exciting and ambitious international institute focused on statecraft, diplomacy, and geopolitics with a historical perspective? The Ax:son Johnson Institute are looking for a Comms & Events Coordinator to join their permanent team:
bit.ly/4pFsdLr
⏰Closing soon!⏰There are a raft of new roles available @labourtogether.bsky.social which will really appeal to anyone who wants to craft the strategy + consider the politics to make good ideas happen.
You still have the weekend to apply:
bit.ly/4p37ssD
bit.ly/3YCc2mW
The Huth Initiative for a New Political Economy (HINPE) at @lsepoliticsblog.bsky.social are looking for a PROGRAMME MANAGER to be the key org + strategic lead as they bring together leading academics to develop ideas + policies for a more sustainable economic system.
Apply here: bit.ly/4q8cPYZ
New senior research role now open for applications @csjthinktank.bsky.social!
Do you have a proven track record in producing high-quality education policy research and supporting high-impact advocacy campaigns? The CSJ wants to hear from you!
Apply here👉 bit.ly/3L5S8Oh
Ever thought about what fundraising in a think tank might look like? We asked Charlotte, Senior Partnerships Officer at think tank @green-alliance.org.uk what her typical day looks like and the challenges and skills you need:
👉 bit.ly/4aNWnbC
Our first think tank round up of 2026 is out tomorrow morning! If you want the latest think tank reports, their upcoming events and important findings all in one place then sign up here:
🖊️http://eepurl.com/cRkrK5
Multiple new think tank roles now open! @labourtogether.bsky.social are looking for good people with an excellent understanding of the current policy and political environment to join their team:
👉Policy Unit: bit.ly/3YCc2mW
👉Political Researcher: bit.ly/4p37ssD
Kicking off our last training session of 2025 with some brand new communications training - talking about all things strategy, audience and advocating for comms internally!
Do you have:
▶️Excellent research + analysis skills?
▶️Excellent verbal + written comms skills?
▶️A strong understanding of public policy + political trends?
@futuregovforum.bsky.social are looking for a new Researcher and want to hear from you!
👉Apply here: bit.ly/3YrVb6e
Fab meeting this morning with our think tank Operations Network! We got through a PACKED agenda answering lots of people’s queries, current challenges and requests for recommendations. Thanks to @green-alliance.org.uk for being wonderful hosts (with a brilliant view!)
🥧☕️
New job alert! @futuregovforum.bsky.social are looking for someone with experience devising + delivering effective comms campaigns, with a sound understanding of how to promote research to join their growing team.
Sound like you?
Apply here: bit.ly/3Ko4alJ
Accomplished communicator with experience in sales/business dev/fundraising?
Experienced in think tanks/policy/public affairs?
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk are looking for a new Partnerships Manager to lead their business function. Could this be you? Apply now!
bit.ly/3XS3Aj0
A great session on how to rebrand a think tank was our November webinar. We welcomed Hannah Corbett who led @pbe.co.uk's recent rebrand to take us through the common pitfalls and things you want to include/focus on. Members can find it in our archive 👇
bit.ly/4rhQZDc
Out tomorrow is our fortnightly think tank round up - if you want to get the most recent reports, find out which think tanks are hosting events soon or the latest think tank findings then sign up 👇
eepurl.com/cRkrK5
Do you have excellent research and analysis skills? Interested in helping local councils, combined authorities, govt + others to develop policies to grow local + regional economies? @countrcultrcslty.bsky.social are looking for a new Consultant to join them. Apply now: bit.ly/4p9nB0N
New researcher role now open! @nuffieldtrust.org.uk are looking for a Researcher to contribute to their mission by delivering high-quality research, evaluation, and policy analysis. Could this be you?
Apply now 👇
bit.ly/4o5qoqa
Looking for your first start in think tanks? @edupolicyinst.bsky.social are recruiting a Executive & Events Officer to join their comms, partnerships and events team! If you fancy broadening your skills, supporting policy events and having real impact - apply here:
bit.ly/484sfWw
The Innovation Award - Yuan Yang, MP for Earley and Woodley and member of the Treasury Select Committee, said: The reliability of data isn’t just some abstract concern of policy wonks. It has real-world consequences; from the way interest rates are set to the way the government decides what to spend money on. In particular many policymakers and I have raised concerns about the reliability of our labour market figures. I’m glad that the Resolution Foundation has stepped up to provide a vital policymaking product where the ONS has failed. Stepping in to fulfil the function a state would usually provide is an unusual and brave example of think-tank innovation. The Resolution Foundation’s data has also spurred fierce debate over whose account is better – the ONS or the Resolution Foundation.”
We're delighted to have received the @smartthinking.bsky.social Innovation Award for our alternative estimate of UK employment. Huge congratulations to @adamcorlett.bsky.social, @hannahslaughter.bsky.social and everyone else who helped put this together 👏
buff.ly/uBRoQa2